How much does it cost to move belongings into a storage unit in Virginia?

There is no single Virginia price for moving into a storage unit. The cost has two parts: the unit's rent, which the facility sets, and the move itself, which depends on how you do it and how much you own. For the move, get written quotes from several companies on the same inventory and compare them line by line.

What moves the price

A move into storage is usually short, so the price is mostly time and handling:

• How much you own. A few boxes and a couch are a very different job from a three-bedroom house. The bigger the unit, the more labour it takes to fill.
• Who does the lifting. Renting a truck and loading it yourself costs a truck, fuel and your time. Hiring labour-only help adds an hourly rate. A full-service mover adds the truck, the crew and travel.
• Truck size and fuel. A 10-foot rental truck holds up to 402 cu. ft. and is rated at about 12 miles per gallon,^[3] so a small unit may need one trip and a big one several. The truck's size, the distance and the number of trips decide your fuel bill.
• Access at both ends. Stairs, elevators, long carries from the street and a unit at the back of the building all add crew time.
• Packing and materials. Boxes, blankets and tape are extra, and a mover who packs charges for the time.
• Heavy items. Pianos, safes and very large pieces often cost extra or need a specialist; see how much piano moving costs in Virginia.
• Coverage. Stored belongings need insurance, and so does the move; see below.

Ask for a written minimum charge. Small jobs often cost close to the same as moderate ones.

What Virginia's rules cover

The state's pricing rules depend on distance. For DMV, household goods includes goods moved "between a residence and a storage facility with the intent to later transport to a residence."^[1] A mover with a property carrier permit may carry household goods only if they are delivered to a place that is less than 31 road-miles from where they were picked up, and the permit has a tariff and time schedule requirement of none.^[1] So for most storage moves, the company sets its own price.

For deliveries over 30 miles, the carrier must charge the rates listed in the tariff filed with DMV.^[2]

Whatever the distance, ask for the estimate in writing.

Insurance: two things to price

First, your belongings in the unit. A homeowners policy provides more limited coverage for personal property if it is stolen or damaged away from home,^[4] so ask your agent how it treats storage. Ask the facility what proof of cover it wants and whether it sells a plan; any plan's price is part of your monthly cost.

Second, the move. Ask any mover what it pays if an item is lost or broken, and what higher coverage costs. If you drive the truck yourself, find out whether the rental's protection covers your cargo and what your own auto policy does not.

How to get a quote you can compare

Make one list: the rooms, the large furniture, a count of boxes, and anything heavy, fragile or awkward. Note stairs, elevators and parking at both ends. Send the same list to every mover and ask for the hourly rate, crew size, minimum hours, travel time, materials and coverage in writing, then compare totals, not hourly rates.

Do not forget the move-in costs on the storage side. Ask the facility about the first month's rent, any admin fee and a lock, and read the rental agreement before you sign. For packing the unit, see how to pack a storage unit so you can find things later; for the general cost of in-state moves, see how much local movers cost in Virginia.

Stop and call a pro if

• A company quotes over the phone without seeing or listing anything. That price is a guess; ask for a written estimate based on your inventory.
• A mover asks for full payment up front with nothing in writing. Keep looking.
• You are moving a piano, a safe, a pool table or something that needs more than two people. Get a specialty quote rather than guessing.
• The move is over 30 miles. Ask whether the company files a tariff with DMV and which rates apply.

Getting quotes on Loclis

Browse more junk removal and moving answers or the moving and storage listings. When you are ready, describe your move once and local movers will quote it.